The Conversation: Severe Mental Illness
Studio Guest: Dr. Shaina Shepherd
Leeann Carmichael,MSN,FNP-BC
Saturday Nov 3, 2012 cnshealthcare,.com
Dr. Shepherd on Betty Lamarr Show
Bipolar disorder is a serious life long mental illness that affects
about 5.7 million Americans. It's characterized by dramatic mood swings
from mania to depression. Doctors aren't sure what causes bipolar disorder. It's likely that there are many factors involved including genetics as bipolar tends to run in families. Environmental factors such as stressful event or drugs of alcohol can also trigger an episode. Whatever the cause, brain chemicals have been consistently inked to depression and bipolar disorder. This may lead to abnormal brain cell function. However, exactly how the change in brain chemical leads to bipolar symptoms isn't clear.
The brain chemical Serotonin is connected to many body functions such as sleep, eating, sexual activity and impulsively. Other brain chemicals such as Norepinephrine which is important for emotions and Dopamine which is commonly linked with the pleasure system of the brain may also play a part.
Symptoms of bipolar can be difficult to pinpoint and as a result people are often wrongly diagnosed with other conditions. That's why it's important to have an open and honest dialogue with your doctor or therapist. Today, there's no cure for bipolar disorder, so life long treatment is necessary to keep symptoms in check. continuous medication as well as therapy is necessary along with the help of family and friends can allow people living with bipolar to live happy, healthy lives.
Schizophrenia:
Schizophrenia symptoms include distorted thoughts and hallucinations.
Usually starting in young childhood, schizophrenia can also cause the sufferer to be frightened and paranoid.
To make schizophrenia diagnosis, a psychiatrist evaluates symptoms, test, and medical history, and prescribes medications and possibly psycholtheapy ( or other types of talk therapy) for proper schizophrenia treatment. New research is helping us understand this disorder better.
Studio Guest: Dr. Shaina Shepherd
Leeann Carmichael,MSN,FNP-BC
Saturday Nov 3, 2012 cnshealthcare,.com
 |
| Host: Betty Lamarr |
 |
| Leann Carmichael, MSN, FNP-BC Dr. Shaina Shepherd Psy.D. |
Bipolar disorder is a serious life long mental illness that affects
about 5.7 million Americans. It's characterized by dramatic mood swings
from mania to depression. Doctors aren't sure what causes bipolar disorder. It's likely that there are many factors involved including genetics as bipolar tends to run in families. Environmental factors such as stressful event or drugs of alcohol can also trigger an episode. Whatever the cause, brain chemicals have been consistently inked to depression and bipolar disorder. This may lead to abnormal brain cell function. However, exactly how the change in brain chemical leads to bipolar symptoms isn't clear.
The brain chemical Serotonin is connected to many body functions such as sleep, eating, sexual activity and impulsively. Other brain chemicals such as Norepinephrine which is important for emotions and Dopamine which is commonly linked with the pleasure system of the brain may also play a part.
Symptoms of bipolar can be difficult to pinpoint and as a result people are often wrongly diagnosed with other conditions. That's why it's important to have an open and honest dialogue with your doctor or therapist. Today, there's no cure for bipolar disorder, so life long treatment is necessary to keep symptoms in check. continuous medication as well as therapy is necessary along with the help of family and friends can allow people living with bipolar to live happy, healthy lives.
 |
| Dr. Shepherd, Psychologist (CNS Healthcare) |
Schizophrenia:
Schizophrenia symptoms include distorted thoughts and hallucinations.
Usually starting in young childhood, schizophrenia can also cause the sufferer to be frightened and paranoid.
To make schizophrenia diagnosis, a psychiatrist evaluates symptoms, test, and medical history, and prescribes medications and possibly psycholtheapy ( or other types of talk therapy) for proper schizophrenia treatment. New research is helping us understand this disorder better.
 |
| Dr. Shepherd, Psycologist |
